Newsletter

Business news in brief

■ The Soldotna Chamber of Commerce meets Tuesday at noon at Froso’s. Soldotna’s new city manager and police chief will be introduced. Lunch is $13. For more information call 262-9814.

■ The Kenai Chamber of Commerce meets Wednesdays at noon at the Merit Inn. A presentation on building links between business students and the community, with Steve Horn of the KPC Business and Industry Department, is planned. Lunch is $15. The chamber requests those planning to attend RSVP at 283-7989.

Land’s End, the Kenai Peninsula Tourism and Marketing Council and the Kenai Economic Development District are sponsoring the fourth annual Business, Marketing and Technology Conference at Land’s End Resort in Homer on Monday and Tuesday. This conference brings together business leaders and entrepreneurs to hear from speakers and collaborate about how to accelerate business practice, technology and innovation.

This is an intimate conference; participants will be able to talk to speakers before and after sessions, as well as during networking breaks and meals. Participants will have the opportunity to meet and engage with virtually any attendee, exchanging ideas and forming lasting business relationships.

The conference runs from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. each day. Event ticket prices are $99, or $79 for non-profits, and 50 percent off a second ticket if you bring someone from your office.Ticket price with a booked room is $69.

Price includes a lunch of sandwich, soup and salad on both days. Coffee, tea and water service provided.

Homer Electric Association, Inc. (HEA) is inviting businesses that provide energy efficient or conservation services/products to submit a vendor application for its annual Energy and Conservation Fairs hosted Nov. 3 at the Kenai Middle School in Kenai and Nov. 10 at West Homer Elementary School in Homer.

The HEA Energy and Conservation Fairs bring together local businesses and organizations to educate and provide safe, responsible energy solutions to area residents and businesses. The Fairs, hosted in Kenai and Homer, are opportunities to showcase your services and products to help members make informed choices regarding energy use and conservation.

Event sponsorship opportunities are also available. This local partnership provides print, radio, electronic and various other promotional advertising benefits to our sponsors.

For more details please contact Joe Halstead at 907-283-2392 or jhalstead@homerelectric.com.

■ Alaska Division of Economic Development Loan Programs (Free) — Oct. 22, 10 a.m.-noon. Representatives from the Division of Economic Development will be at AKSBDC in the Red Diamond Center Suite 12 to present information on the features of the existing and new state loan programs including existing: Small Business Economic Development RLF, Alaska Capstone Avionics, Rural Development Initiative Fund, and Commercial Fishing RLF; and new: Mariculture RLF, Commercial Charter Fisheries RLF, Community Quota Entity RLF, and Alternative Energy Conservation Loan Fund. Learn how your business can benefit from these state loan programs including eligible uses of the funds, eligible areas of lending, and about new DED loan programs passed by the state Legislature. Deadline to register is Oct. 19. Seating limited.

■ “Starting A Business” (Free) — Oct. 30 at 10 a.m. If you want to put your business idea to work, attend this 2-hour “Starting a Business” seminar in the Red Diamond Center, Suite 12. Bryan Zak will offer helpful resources and cover basic questions to give you the tools you need to start your own business on the Kenai Peninsula. Zak will prepare you for a productive relationship with Alaska Small Business Development Center and our partner programs, and explain the value of our free counseling services. Online registration deadline is Oct. 12.